Dion Laurent
5 min. 5sec.(28 MB DivX)
Video – Program Art – Net Art
1997-2004
The Golden Age of Barcodes is a multi-ethnic international representation/conceptualization of procreation and population explosion, increased consumerism and capitalism, and the commodification and devastation of our natural world. This video animation work is based on a computer program written in 1997 that animates any image in any given file. The representation of barcoding, replicating, cloning and manufacturing all that exists, symbolically, literally and conceptually is to symbolize the manufacture and consumerism of all products, but also to include the commercialization of our natural world, our earth, our spiritualities...to barcode everything to clone everything...good and bad. Music by Blaine Flewin, Vancouver, B.C.. Net art version archived on the Rhizome.org ArtBase: http://rhizome.org/object.rhiz?26817
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The Golden Age of Barcodes has been shown in Australia, Germany, Obsession Festival in Istanbul, Detroit Museum of New Art , Bayennale(Oakland/SanFrancisco), London, FILE 05 in Sao Paolo and Rio, and is archived on Rhizome.org of the New Museum, NY, NY.. It is an ongoing series and project also included in Istanbul Contemporary Art Museum's WebBiennial, on Furtherfield.org, Thailand New Media Art Festival 2005, and widely viewed from dionlaurent.com .
Over 10,000 images have been Barcoded by this program thus far. The original concept continues to evolve since Dion began barcoding paintings, photos and found object works in 1991. These works have been shown throughout the world beginning with gallery shows in 1991 through current, and a variety are included in his videos, "In One Second"(1995-1996) and "The Pipeline Project"(2003-2004) and in the installation and net project, The House That George Built(2003) and AirPort(2005). The barcode is the most recognized symbol in the world, now in it's 30th year. The representation of barcoding, replicating, cloning and manufacturing all that exists, symbolically, literally and conceptually is to symbolize the manufacture and consumerism of all products, but also to include the commercialization of our natural world, our earth, our spiritualities, our bodies, emotions and actions...to barcode everything, to clone everything across all spectrums. This is a series and project in-progress...Further related video, Flash and net projects to come...
A Call for images for an in-progress project to be announced soon.
Big Barcoded Thanks to:
Blaine Flewin for the use of his song "Metallic D.N.A." from his album Feast on The Horizon.
Darren Meeks for programming assistance.
Joseph McElroy and Lewis LaCook for technical assistance.
All text, images and web pages at Dion Laurent.com are Copyright Dion Laurent 1990-2006. Use of any content without prior written consent of Dion Laurent is expressly prohibited. All rights reserved.